IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 1924 H G Wells Society
Held at: Trades Union Congress (TUC) Library Collections at London Metropolitan University
Title: H G Wells Society
Date(s): 1935-1938, 1960-1988
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 2 linear metres
Name of creator(s): H G Wells Society
Federation of Progressive Societies and Individuals
Open Conspiracy
Cosmopolis
Schonfield | Hugh J | 1901-1988 | biblical scholar
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The H G Wells Society was founded in 1960, to promote widespread interest in the life, work and thought of Herbert George Wells, to encourage active implementation of his ideas, and generally to stimulate a Wellsian outlook on the many old and new problems facing humanity. The society produces an annual Journal The Wellsian, and a quarterly Bulletin.The Collection also contains papers relating to an earlier H G Wells Society, founded in 1934, for the discussion, study, research and propaganda of the sciences of social biology and the effective application of their principles. The society grew out of the Federation of Progressive Societies and Individuals, founded in 1930. In November 1934 the name was changed to the Open Conspiracy, and in November 1935 to Cosmopolis. By 1936 there were nearly 500 members, a central office and a paid full-time secretary.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the H G Wells Society, 1960-1988, comprising: Correspondence, 1963-1971, particularly on the commemoration of the centenary of Wells' birth (1966); circulars and duplicated matter, 1962-1970; financial payments and receipts, 1962-1964; personal papers of Dr Hugh Schonfield, a founder-member of the Society, 1960-1988; manuscript letter from H G Wells to Lady Russell, commenting on a 'break' between Wells and Lord Russell, undated; correspondence, papers and pamphlets on Cosmopolis, [formerly the H G Wells Society] the Open Conspiracy and the Federation of Progressive Societies and Individuals, 1935-1938; catalogue of the H G Wells Correspondence in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with copy of the sale contract, 1954.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Papers arranged by type as described in scope and content.
Conditions governing access:
Applications to consult the papers should be made to Crispin Partridge, Humanities and Education Faculty Librarian, The Learning Centre, University of North London, 236-250 Holloway Road, London N7 6PP
Conditions governing reproduction:
At the discretion of the Librarian and subject to copyright conditions.
Physical characteristics:
Finding aids:
None
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
The papers are on loan from the H G Wells Society
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
The University also holds the library of the H G Wells Society, contining copies of Wells' books, and other writings, and books and articles about Wells.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign holds a substantial collection of H G Wells material.
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Archivist's note: Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.
Date(s) of descriptions: Mar 2002